But that deal is unlikely considering Porzingis would likely not want to commit to the Pelicans long term.

Still, Porzingis' concerns about the Knicks' future will likely force the Knicks to explore other trade scenarios ahead of the Feb. 7 deadline.

Even if he's not traded, his long-term future with the organization is uncertain.

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis sits on the bench during the second quarter of the team's preseason NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, in New York.(Photo11: Noah K. Murray, AP)

The Knicks did not give Porzingis a contract extension he was eligible for last summer, which will save them about $10 million in cap space for this summer when they're hoping to sign a star like Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving.

But by not offering Porzingis an extension, he will become an unrestricted free agent in July. The Knicks would still have the right to match any offer made by another team.

If Porzingis decides he doesn't want to be with the Knicks long term, he could sign the qualifying offer and then hit unrestricted free agency in 2020. In that scenario, it would benefit the Knicks to work out a trade.

There is some risk to that route for Porzingis considering he's coming back from injury and won't have the protection of a long-term contract.

But it's not of the question.

The Knicks have long considered Porzingis to be part of their foundation. With young players like Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson surrounding him, as well as another lottery pick this year and a possible star free agent this summer, they hoped the ongoing losing now would eventually turn into future success.

When Fizdale was asked in November about Porzingis' progress, the coach said he was still only doing light running.

Later that day, Porzingis posted photos to his Instagram account showing him sprinting at a local track.

Fizdale said the following day he spoke to Porzingis and they smoothed things over.

"He’s working his tail off," Fizdale said. "I think how he took it was that people thought he wasn’t busting his hump, he took it personally, it got to him that people would think that. and he’s really, this guy has been a terror on his workouts. I think that’s what it was in response to. So I think maybe when he heard me say, ‘Hey we’re taking it slow’ and all of that stuff, that’s what we’re doing but at the same time he don’t want people thinking that he’s not busting his hump because he’s killing it."